By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2025-12-22 15:28:26
本周推荐专辑：吉米·艾欧文 (Jimmy Iovine) -《A Very Special Christmas》(1987)
这似乎有些考古，但Run D.M.C.乐队的《Christmas in Hollis》绝对是神作。随着这首歌，冬天已至，节日气氛也达到了高潮。我们希望每个人都能在这个时节收获所愿。
至于篮球方面，NBA杯本应是吸引普通球迷关注本赛季的切入点。或许这对一些人奏效了——在拉斯维加斯举行的三场NBA杯比赛都堪称肉搏战。但查尔斯·巴克利 (Charles Barkley) 告诉我们，赛季要到圣诞节才真正开始，所以我理解可能有些朋友是这周才第一次关注NBA。你们已经错过了很多，所以让我们来快速回顾一下。
细则说明：这份战力榜不仅仅是对每支球队进行排名。我们将保留球队的梯队划分，球队会根据表现被晋升或降级。每周将有五个梯队：
- 顶级争冠者 – 锁定五席，他们是联盟的精英。
- 状态正佳 – 可能是一支球队，也可能是七支。
- 中游徘徊 – （此“泡泡”非彼“泡泡”，与华特迪士尼世界无关。）联盟的中坚力量。
- 仍需努力 – 虽然不是联盟打得最差的球队，但仍有许多工作要做。
- 联盟垫底 – 排名末尾的球队。
关于战力榜的说明：
- 这是我的主观排名。我会参考各种客观指标，但最终决定权在我。
- 这份排名不仅是对过去一周的回顾——我们也在展望未来，因此是两者的平衡。
- 排名是主观的，但没有偏见。战力榜不带任何个人议程，我们力求建立一个包容的、任人唯贤的体系。
- 这份排名具备一个特质：“冷酷的侵略性。”
- 请享受比赛，也请享受这份排名！
在 The Athletic NBA战力榜的第10周，我们将重温为每支球队提出的开季问题。胜负记录及其他统计数据截至周日比赛结束。
第一梯队：顶级争冠者
1. 俄克拉荷马雷霆 (25-3)
上次排名: 1
上周战绩: 胜快船，负森林狼
进攻效率: 119.0 (联盟第五) 防守效率: 103.2 (联盟第一)
核心问题重温： 切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) 会在本赛季迎来爆发吗？
雷霆本赛季只输了三场比赛。其中两场是在击败洛杉矶快船后，未经休息的背靠背比赛。而现在，这三场失利中有两场是在谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)、吕冈茨·多尔特 (Luguentz Dort)、杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams)、切特·霍姆格伦和以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因 (Isaiah Hartenstein) 的首发阵容下发生的。霍姆格伦有望进入全明星的讨论，他场均贡献埃文·莫布里 (Evan Mobley) 式的数据（18.7分、7.8个篮板、1.5次盖帽）。但在接下来的一个月里，霍姆格伦如何在完整阵容中最大化自己的作用将值得关注。
2. 丹佛掘金 (20-7)
上次排名: 2
上周战绩: 胜火箭，胜魔术，负火箭
进攻效率: 123.7 (联盟第一) 防守效率: 115.1 (联盟第十七)
核心问题重温： 阿隆·戈登 (Aaron Gordon) 能否整个赛季都打出全明星级别的得分表现？
戈登以生涯新高的50分表现开启本赛季，场均得分也达到生涯最佳的18.8分，但他的赛季进程因恼人的腿筋伤势而中断。在戈登缺阵的一个月里，掘金取得了8胜4负的战绩，其中包括一波六连胜，但这波连胜在周六晚被休斯顿火箭终结，而掘金此前已两次击败这支球队。希望戈登回归后能延续之前的良好状态。
3. 底特律活塞 (22-6)
上次排名: 3
上周战绩: 客场胜凯尔特人，客场负独行侠，胜黄蜂
进攻效率: 116.5 (联盟第九) 防守效率: 109.7 (联盟第二)
核心问题重温： 在凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 身边，活塞的哪位年轻球员会取得下一步的成长？
坎宁安在确立自己最佳阵容级别球员的地位后，除了投篮命中率外，各项数据全面提升。活塞中锋杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)——一位2026年的受限制自由球员——也同样迎来了四年级的飞跃。杜伦获得了更多的持球机会，他通过将场均罚球数从上赛季的3.1次几乎翻倍到本赛季的6.0次来惩罚对手。本赛季场均得分超过杜伦18.0分的中锋只有尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)、阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Şengün)、卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 和巴姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo)。
4. 纽约尼克斯 (20-8)
上次排名: 5
上周战绩: NBA杯胜马刺(表演赛)，客场胜步行者，负76人，胜热火
进攻效率: 121.7 (联盟第二) 防守效率: 114.0 (联盟第十五)
核心问题重温： 尼克斯能将米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson) 视为可靠的首发球员吗？
纽约在本赛季前15场比赛中，罗宾逊出战的9场全部让他首发；罗宾逊缺席了前四场比赛。当尼克斯在11月22日客场输给奥兰多时，纽约的战绩跌至9胜6负。自那以后，在约什·哈特 (Josh Hart) 担任主要首发的情况下，尼克斯取得了11胜2负的战绩，这还不包括赢得了一座他们不会升起冠军旗帜或为之联名街道的NBA杯。罗宾逊是一名高效但功能有限的球员，他更适合扮演20分钟的角色，而不是作为首发阵容的基石。整个赛季，罗宾逊的出场时间只有一次超过25分钟，那就是在周五输给费城76人的比赛中。
5. 圣安东尼奥马刺 (21-7)
上次排名: 6
上周战绩: NBA杯负尼克斯(表演赛)，胜奇才，客场胜老鹰，客场胜奇才
进攻效率: 118.2 (联盟第六) 防守效率: 112.2 (联盟第五)
核心问题重温： 马刺是否已经解决了当维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 不在场时如何打球的问题？
竟敢对全能的文班和他的骑士们提出这样的问题？在文班亚马还是首发的头12场比赛里，当他不在场时，马刺仅净负11分。在文班亚马缺阵的一个月里，马刺更上一层楼，净胜对手38分。而自文班亚马回归以来，马刺仅净负3分。当然，这不包括NBA杯冠军赛，因为那场比赛不计入常规赛战绩，因此不算纯粹且合乎体育道德的篮球比赛。
第二梯队：状态正佳
6. 休斯顿火箭 (17-9)
上次排名: 4
上周战绩: 客场负掘金，客场负鹈鹕，客场胜掘金，客场负国王
进攻效率: 121.0 (联盟第四) 防守效率: 112.1 (联盟第四)
核心问题重温： 尺寸很酷，但技术足够吗？
尺寸确实很酷。休斯顿全员出动，在篮板上碾压对手。火箭能杀入禁区，并且他们是联盟中唯一一支三分命中率超过40%的球队。技术是足够的，但火箭的失误数也比联盟中除波特兰外的任何球队都多。休斯顿的助攻失误比排在联盟倒数五位。近期一系列加时赛的失利使得他们在关键时刻的比赛战绩为6胜8负。不过，休斯顿也取得了多场大胜，所以我相信这一切都毫不令人担忧！
7. 明尼苏达森林狼 (19-10)
上次排名: 8
上周战绩: 负灰熊，胜雷霆，胜雄鹿
进攻效率: 116.7 (联盟第八) 防守效率: 112.3 (联盟第六)
核心问题重温： 森林狼如何围绕安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 在进攻端进化？
就产出而言，森林狼本赛季的表现与上赛季大致相同。这并不是一个坏位置（攻防两端都排在前十）。爱德华兹的助攻数有所下降，但这种取舍让他成为比以往更致命的得分手。他的三分命中率超过40%（尽管对阵雄鹿的那个晚上表现不佳），场均失误四年来首次低于3.0次，并且在三分线内的各个区域表现都更出色。朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle)、杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯 (Jaden McDaniels) 和丹特·迪文琴佐 (Donte DiVincenzo) 的得分也都有所增加。除了保持首发阵容的现有水平外，森林狼的下一步是找到除纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid) 之外能从板凳席上挺身而出的球员。
8. 波士顿凯尔特人 (17-11)
上次排名: 9
上周战绩: 负活塞，胜热火，客场胜猛龙
进攻效率: 121.3 (联盟第三) 防守效率: 114.7 (联盟第十六)
核心问题重温： 凯尔特人如何在其他数据比拼中取胜？
没有杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum)，凯尔特人也过得很好，多谢关心。当然，他们在三分球得分差上依然占据统治地位，同时禁区得分却排在联盟倒数五位。但波士顿将比赛节奏降至一个相对极端的程度，这使得他们在限制对手快攻得分和禁区得分方面都位列联盟前五。凯尔特人在这些方面，以及利用失误得分和二次进攻得分上都取得了优势。除了塔图姆，凯尔特人一直保持着非常好的健康状况，这种阵容的稳定性带来了显著的差异。
9. 洛杉矶湖人 (19-8)
上次排名: 7
上周战绩: 客场胜爵士，客场负快船
进攻效率: 118.0 (联盟第七) 防守效率: 116.9 (联盟第二十三)
核心问题重温： 勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 是否应该慢慢来，不用急于复出？
詹姆斯直到11月18日才完成本赛季首秀。到了周六晚在Intuit Dome球馆，他感觉好到足以首次砍下30+的得分。但詹姆斯也成了首发阵容中最后一位坚守者，因为卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić) 在输给快船的比赛中因腿伤离场，而奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves)、八村垒 (Rui Hachimura) 和德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton) 则因伤无法出战。当湖人交替上演险胜和惨败时，两件事可能同时成立：詹姆斯仍然能够打出非凡的表现，并且湖人越是依赖他，情况就越糟糕。
10. 奥兰多魔术 (16-12)
上次排名: 10
上周战绩: 客场负掘金，客场胜爵士
进攻效率: 115.6 (联盟第十) 防守效率: 112.6 (联盟第十)
核心问题重温： 他们的三分投射为何依旧如此糟糕？
魔术本赛季每个月的三分出手数都在增加，但他们在12月份的三分命中率仅为32.9%。保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero)、安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black) 和特里斯坦·达·席尔瓦 (Tristan da Silva) 这个月的三分命中率都只有25%或更低。奥兰多是一支投射能力常年不佳的球队。好消息是，德斯蒙德·贝恩 (Desmond Bane) 状态舒适，本赛季他的四场30+得分都来自黑色星期五之后，包括他在犹他上演的制胜表现。
76人队的保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 本赛季出战11场，场均贡献16.2分和5.1个篮板。（乔丹·戈德弗里 / Imagn Images）
11. 费城76人 (16-11)
上次排名: 14
上周战绩: 客场胜尼克斯，胜独行侠
进攻效率: 114.7 (联盟第十三) 防守效率: 113.3 (联盟第十一)
核心问题重温： 保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 如何改变局面？
乔治直到11月17日才迎来赛季首秀。在他首秀之前，费城每百回合失分115.2分，排在联盟第18位。自乔治披挂上阵以来，这个数字下降到了每百回合111.7分。仅仅得到一位能打25分钟、身高6英尺8英寸的老将，就为费城带来了稳固的场上表现。
第三梯队：中游徘徊
12. 多伦多猛龙 (17-13)
上次排名: 12
上周战绩: 客场胜热火，客场胜雄鹿，负凯尔特人，客场负篮网
进攻效率: 113.4 (联盟第十九) 防守效率: 112.3 (联盟第九)
核心问题重温： 猛龙的防守是否过于激进？
猛龙的犯规依然很多，但在这方面他们不像上赛季那么糟糕了，而且队中有四名球员场均至少贡献一次抢断。对于主教练达尔科·拉亚科维奇 (Darko Rajaković) 来说，何时施压、何时让防守消耗比赛时间，找到合适的平衡点一直是个持续学习的过程。多伦多并不怀念RJ·巴雷特 (RJ Barrett) 的防守，但他的膝伤对多伦多本就平庸的进攻造成了更大的影响。
13. 迈阿密热火 (15-14)
上次排名: 11
上周战绩: 负猛龙，客场胜篮网，客场负凯尔特人，客场负尼克斯
进攻效率: 114.3 (联盟第十五) 防守效率: 112.3 (联盟第七)
核心问题重温： 迈阿密如何维持前所未有的快节奏打法？
迈阿密在整体节奏上依然比联盟任何球队都快。但热火现在已经输掉了过去10场比赛中的8场。与热火交手很有趣，这是一支不怎么犯规但会给对手不错出手机会的球队，尤其是在中锋克勒尔·韦尔 (Kel’el Ware) 在场时。其他球队比他们更有天赋，而这种天赋差距正导致他们的表现向均值回归。
14. 菲尼克斯太阳 (15-13)
上次排名: 16
上周战绩: 胜勇士，客场负勇士
进攻效率: 113.7 (联盟第十七) 防守效率: 113.7 (联盟第十二)
核心问题重温： 中锋位置的局面将如何演变？
这个问题不难弄清楚。马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams) 自第二周以来每场都首发，尽管他在场均24.5分钟内有不错的产出，但他仍然是一名糟糕的护筐手。奥索·伊戈达罗 (Oso Ighodaro) 更适合作为第二阵容的大个子，偶尔与替补中锋尼克·理查兹 (Nick Richards) 一同出场。乐透秀哈曼·马鲁阿奇 (Khaman Maluach) 整个赛季只打了59分钟。菲尼克斯在12月表现不稳，中锋位置仍然是一个需要持续关注的状况。
15. 克利夫兰骑士 (15-14)
上次排名: 15
上周战绩: 客场负公牛，负公牛
进攻效率: 115.4 (联盟第十一) 防守效率: 113.9 (联盟第十四)
核心问题重温： 在达里厄斯·加兰 (Darius Garland) 回归前，谁能在外线帮助多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell)？
到了这个地步，这个问题需要这样问：全明星级别的达里厄斯·加兰何时才能回归？克利夫兰在加兰出战的过去八场比赛中输掉了七场，包括上周与公牛的主客场系列赛，而唯一的一场胜利是在华盛顿，那场比赛骑士曾一度落后17分。在过去八场比赛中，加兰的投篮命中率为39.4%，三分命中率为30.2%，场均失误3.0次。米切尔正打出生涯最佳的一年，但他的老将队友们却没有一个能跟上，现在埃文·莫布里又要因伤缺阵数周。
16. 金州勇士 (14-15)
上次排名: 17
上周战绩: 客场负太阳，胜太阳
进攻效率: 113.0 (联盟第二十一) 防守效率: 111.5 (联盟第三)
核心问题重温： 吉米·巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler) 能否整个赛季都挺身而出？
金州勇士的表现一直不稳定，但巴特勒一直稳健且保持出勤。巴特勒仅缺席了四场比赛，他的个人数据都很出色，本赛季当巴特勒在场时，勇士净胜对手99分。而当巴特勒不在场时，勇士则净负65分。
第四梯队：仍需努力
17. 亚特兰大老鹰 (15-15)
上次排名: 13
上周战绩: 客场负黄蜂，负马刺，负公牛
进攻效率: 114.8 (联盟第十二) 防守效率: 115.5 (联盟第十八)
核心问题重温： 他们将如何最大化克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porziņģis) 的作用？
波尔津吉斯为亚特兰大进攻端提供了一个巨大的威胁，他既能远投，也能在内线终结，甚至还能送出恰到好处的传球。本赛季是波尔津吉斯11年职业生涯中首次场均助攻超过3.0次。但波尔津吉斯反复出现的疾病一直影响着他的出勤率，本赛季他仅出战了13场比赛。老鹰本周迎回了特雷·杨 (Trae Young)，但他们本已崩溃的防守又跌至新低。
18. 孟菲斯灰熊 (13-15)
上次排名: 19
上周战绩: 客场胜快船，客场胜森林狼，负奇才
进攻效率: 112.5 (联盟第二十四) 防守效率: 113.8 (联盟第十三)
核心问题重温： 塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward) 的X因素有多大？
考沃德在11月中旬赢得了孟菲斯的先发位置，与同样来自华盛顿州立大学的队友杰伦·威尔斯 (Jaylen Wells) 一起，成为田纳西州未来的侧翼组合。虽然考沃德作为首发的个人数据并不那么出色，但灰熊在他进入首发阵容后表现得更好。孟菲斯本有机会自11月初以来首次将胜率扳回五成，但他们在主场休息两天的情况下，让奇才得到了130分。
19. 芝加哥公牛 (13-15)
上次排名: 24
上周战绩: 胜骑士，客场胜骑士，客场胜老鹰
进攻效率: 113.9 (联盟第十六) 防守效率: 117.7 (联盟第二十五)
核心问题重温： 这支球队的防守值得信赖吗？
芝加哥已经连续九场比赛失分超过110分，包括被亚特兰大得到150分。所以，不，防守并不可信，在过去一个月里一直是联盟垫底五名的水平。在芝加哥过去的14场比赛中，对手的三分命中率高达38.2%。而在公牛取得5胜0负开局时，对手的三分命中率是联盟最低的30.1%。但公牛凭借全队轮换阵容出色的投篮表现，横扫了上周的比赛。
20. 波特兰开拓者 (12-16)
上次排名: 20
上周战绩: 胜国王，客场胜国王
进攻效率: 113.5 (联盟第十八) 防守效率: 116.4 (联盟第二十一)
核心问题重温： 谢登·夏普 (Shaedon Sharpe) 能否与波特兰的其他创造者共存？
简而言之，是的，夏普在进攻端能够融入。夏普开局慢热，而且他仍然是一个糟糕的决策者（场均2.5次助攻，3.0次失误），跳投也不稳定（三分命中率32.6%）。但夏普的场均得分（22.0分）和罚球数（5.0次）均创下生涯新高，并且已经连续四场比赛得分20+，创赛季新高。波特兰现在最需要的是控球后卫朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday) 的回归。
自从不再担任独行侠的控球后卫角色后，库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 的数据一路飙升。（比尔·施特赖歇 / Imagn Images）
21. 达拉斯独行侠 (11-18)
上次排名: 18
上周战绩: 客场负爵士，胜活塞，客场负76人
进攻效率: 109.0 (联盟第二十八) 防守效率: 112.3 (联盟第八)
核心问题重温： 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 能否弥补达拉斯的后卫短板？
独行侠在赛季初试图让弗拉格打控球后卫。但他不是控卫。然后他们尝试了自由球员签约的德安吉洛·拉塞尔 (D’Angelo Russell)。那也没用。布兰登·威廉姆斯 (Brandon Williams) 也得到了机会。在威廉姆斯首发的比赛中，达拉斯2胜7负。当他们让双向合同新秀瑞安·内姆哈德 (Ryan Nembhard) 首发时，独行侠是联盟进攻最差的球队，而这恰好与安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 伤愈复出时间吻合。这为达拉斯带来了6胜4负的战绩，包括战胜了丹佛、迈阿密、休斯顿和底特律。这也让弗拉格在过去10场比赛中，尽管三分命中率几乎为零（16%），场均得分却高达24.0分。
22. 布鲁克林篮网 (8-19)
上次排名: 23
上周战绩: 负热火，胜猛龙
进攻效率: 111.6 (联盟第二十六) 防守效率: 116.3 (联盟第二十)
核心问题重温： 篮网要如何防住对手？
他们周日锁死了猛龙，而在一周前则羞辱了雄鹿。整个NBA赛季至今，只有四场比赛有球队得分未能达到85分，其中两场就与篮网的防守有关。布鲁克林的阵容中没有太多防守弱点，并且拥有足够的身高臂展。特别是诺阿·克劳尼 (Noah Clowney)，在大前锋位置上展现了闪光点。其结果是，这支球队能够挑战那些缺乏顶级投篮创造能力、速度和拉开空间能力的球队。
23. 密尔沃基雄鹿 (11-18)
上次排名: 21
上周战绩: 负猛龙，客场负森林狼
进攻效率: 112.8 (联盟第二十二) 防守效率: 116.5 (联盟第二十二)
核心问题重温： 扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 能整个赛季都这样打吗？
阿德托昆博已经因需要缺席数场比赛的伤病而两次提前离场，在密尔沃基的29场比赛中，他只出战了17场。他的场均上场时间下降到了29.1分钟，部分原因是他因伤退场。当阿德托昆博不打时，雄鹿的战绩是2胜10负。阿德托昆博仍然能做到非凡的事情，但如果他想避免关于他在密尔沃基未来的流言蜚语，他就需要保持在场上。到目前为止，他的伤病暴露了这支本应由他扛起的雄鹿队的弱点。
24. 犹他爵士 (10-17)
上次排名: 22
上周战绩: 胜独行侠，负湖人，负魔术
进攻效率: 114.3 (联盟第十四) 防守效率: 121.0 (联盟第二十九)
核心问题重温： 劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen) 回来了吗？
有些人想知道为什么我没有在上周的交易流言中将马尔卡宁作为犹他的代表。原因很简单：马尔卡宁是一位28岁的建队核心，手握长约，并且想留在犹他。他正打出职业生涯中最好的篮球表现之一，场均得分达到生涯新高的27.8分。马尔卡宁开始缺席比赛，过去五场比赛中他缺席了三场。但马尔卡宁本赛季已有10场比赛得分30+，而上赛季他总共只有四场30+的比赛。
25. 夏洛特黄蜂 (9-19)
上次排名: 25
上周战绩: 胜老鹰，客场负活塞
进攻效率: 113.1 (联盟第二十) 防守效率: 117.1 (联盟第二十四)
核心问题重温： 今年是拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball) 重返全明星赛的一年吗？
看起来不像。黄蜂队依然表现不佳，鲍尔已经缺席了10场比赛，而且他本赛季出场时的表现远不如上赛季。鲍尔场均助攻达到生涯新高的8.6次，但他的投篮命中率（39.1%）和三分命中率（31.6%）都创下了生涯新低。如果鲍尔去年在全明星周末前场均27.3分都未能入选全明星，那么本赛季场均19.2分且效率低下的他，就更不可能了。
第五梯队：联盟垫底
26. 洛杉矶快船 (7-21)
上次排名: 26
上周战绩: 负灰熊，客场负雷霆，胜湖人
进攻效率: 112.7 (联盟第二十三) 防守效率: 118.2 (联盟第二十六)
核心问题重温： 布拉德利·比尔 (Bradley Beal) 何时能在进攻端做出贡献？
永远不会。在比尔之前的四个赛季里，他场均出战49场比赛，得到20.2分。即使比尔缺席半个赛季，场均只得到15分，那也比快船用他替代诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell) 所得到的回报要好——回报是121分钟的出场时间（没有一分钟在第四节）和在第三周就赛季报销的臀部伤病。快船试图通过用比尔换下鲍威尔来实现年轻化，但他们却变得更糟了。
27. 新奥尔良鹈鹕 (7-22)
上次排名: 27
上周战绩: 胜火箭，胜步行者
进攻效率: 112.1 (联盟第二十五) 防守效率: 118.9 (联盟第二十八)
核心问题重温： 鹈鹕能把球投进吗？
在过去两周之前，不太能。鹈鹕的投篮命中率为46.5%，只有活塞的禁区得分比他们更多。但他们在合理冲撞区和非合理冲撞区的禁区内得分转化率都排在联盟倒数五位。不过，值得称赞的是鹈鹕在过去两周找到了一些解决办法，他们投出了50.4%的命中率，并在一波四连胜中，让蔡恩·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson) 和乔丹·普尔 (Jordan Poole) 都在乐透秀德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen) 和杰里迈亚·菲尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears) 之后替补出场。
28. 萨克拉门托国王 (7-22)
上次排名: 30
上周战绩: 客场负开拓者，负开拓者，胜火箭
进攻效率: 108.8 (联盟第二十九) 防守效率: 118.8 (联盟第二十七)
核心问题重温： 道格·克里斯蒂 (Doug Christie) 如何调度队内的进攻创造者？
或许通过让进攻创造者受伤和坐板凳更容易理清进攻。萨克拉门托本赛季的七场胜利中有四场是战胜了西部前八的球队：金州勇士、丹佛、明尼苏达以及周日晚对阵休斯顿。在那场逆转加时战胜火箭的比赛中，国王缺少了中锋多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 和得分后卫扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)，让拿着底薪合同的拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook) 顶替拿着多年合同的丹尼斯·施罗德 (Dennis Schröder) 首发，并且只让拥有2027年球员选项的后卫马利克·蒙克 (Malik Monk) 上场了不到五分钟。那一晚，这套阵容奏效了。国王拥有所有这些球员，再加上德玛尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 和基根·穆雷 (Keegan Murray)，但本赛季只有印第安纳步行者的进攻比他们更差。
29. 华盛顿奇才 (5-22)
上次排名: 28
上周战绩: 客场负马刺，客场胜灰熊，负马刺
进攻效率: 109.2 (联盟第二十七) 防守效率: 122.7 (联盟第三十)
核心问题重温： 谁在乎大前锋？
奇才不在乎，他们是联盟防守篮板最差的球队。周日，奇才让凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George) 和贾斯廷·尚帕尼 (Justin Champagnie) 首发前锋，这两名球员的注册体重都不到210磅。马刺抢下了20个进攻篮板，并在二次进攻得分上以32-9遥遥领先奇才。需要说明的是，华盛顿并不是没有大个子前锋。这就是华盛顿的阵容构建，我们看看他们是否会在2026年的某个时候补充更大体型的前锋和/或篮板好手。
30. 印第安纳步行者 (6-22)
上次排名: 29
上周战绩: 负尼克斯，客场负鹈鹕
进攻效率: 108.1 (联盟第三十) 防守效率: 116.1 (联盟第十九)
核心问题重温： 步行者能否挺过赛季初的伤病潮？
不，步行者没能挺过这波伤病潮。这就是没有杰森·塔图姆的凯尔特人和没有泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton) 的步行者之间的巨大差异。波士顿出场时间前八的球员中没有一人缺席超过五场比赛，而步行者队中没有缺席至少五场比赛的球员只有帕斯卡尔·西亚卡姆 (Pascal Siakam)、贾雷斯·沃克 (Jarace Walker) 以及中锋杰伊·赫夫 (Jay Huff) 和以赛亚·杰克逊 (Isaiah Jackson)。西亚卡姆本赛季与预计的非中锋首发球员阿龙·内史密斯 (Aaron Nesmith)、安德鲁·内姆哈德 (Andrew Nembhard) 和本内迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin) 一同出场的时间总共只有七分钟（在一场比赛中）。
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: Spurs are contenders; revisiting early-season questions
NBA Power Rankings: Spurs are contenders; revisiting early-season questions
Album of the Week: “ A Very Special Christmas,” Jimmy Iovine (1987)
It may seem like we are digging deep, but Run D.M.C.’s “Christmas in Hollis” is goated. And with that, winter is here, and the holiday season reaches its zenith. We hope everyone gets what they want out of this time of the year.
As for basketball, the NBA Cup was supposed to be the entry point into the season for casual fans. Perhaps that worked for some — the three Cup games in Las Vegas were all bar fights. But Charles Barkley told us the season doesn’t start until Christmas, so I understand that there may be a few of you paying attention to the NBA for the first time this week. You’ve missed plenty, so let’s do some catching up.
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
- Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
- In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams
- The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
- Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
- Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
- These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
- These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
- These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
- The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
- Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 10 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will revisit opening-week questions for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (25-3)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs LAC, L at MIN
Offensive rating: 119.0 (fifth place) Defensive rating: 103.2 (first place)
The Big Question, revisited: Is Chet Holmgren breaking out this season?
The Thunder have lost three times this season. Two of the losses were on zero days’ rest after beating the LA Clippers and catching a flight. And now two of those losses have come with the starting lineup of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Holmgren could be in the All-Star conversation, as he’s averaging an Evan Mobley special (18.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks). But how Holmgren maximizes his opportunities with a full roster will be something to watch over the next month.
2. Denver Nuggets (20-7)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs HOU, W vs ORL, L vs HOU
Offensive rating: 123.7 (first place) Defensive rating: 115.1 (17th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can Aaron Gordon score like an All-Star all season?
Gordon began the season with a career-high 50-point performance and was averaging a career-best 18.8 points per game when his season was sideswiped by his troublesome hamstring. The Nuggets are 8-4 in the month that Gordon has missed, which included a six-game win streak that was snapped Saturday night against a Houston Rockets team that Denver has beaten twice already. Hopefully Gordon can pick up where he left off whenever he gets back.
3. Detroit Pistons (22-6)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at BOS, L at DAL, W vs CHA
Offensive rating: 116.5 (9th place) Defensive rating: 109.7 (2nd place)
The Big Question, revisited: Which young Pistons take the next step with Cade Cunningham?
Cunningham’s numbers are all up, except for his shooting, after establishing himself as an All-NBA player. Pistons center Jalen Duren, a 2026 restricted free agent, has taken a similar fourth-year leap. Duren has increased his on-ball opportunities, and he is punishing foes by nearly doubling his free-throw attempts per game from 3.1 last season to 6.0 this season. The only centers averaging more than Duren’s 18.0 points per game are Nikola Jokić, Alperen Şengün, Karl-Anthony Towns and Bam Adebayo.
4. New York Knicks (20-8)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: NBA CUP W vs SA (exhibition), W at IND, L vs PHI, W vs MIA
Offensive rating: 121.7 (second place) Defensive rating: 114.0 (15th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can the Knicks count on Mitchell Robinson as a starter?
New York tried Robinson as the starting center for all nine games he played over the first 15 of the season; Robinson was unavailable for the first four games. When the Knicks lost at Orlando on Nov. 22, it dropped New York’s record to 9-6. The Knicks are 11-2 since with Josh Hart as the primary starter, not including winning an NBA Cup that they won’t raise a banner for or co-name street signs for. Robinson is an effective but limited player who is best in a 20-minute role rather than a foundational part of a starting lineup. Robinson has played more than 25 minutes once all season, and that was in Friday’s loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.
5. San Antonio Spurs (21-7)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: NBA CUP L vs NY (exhibition), W vs WAS, W at ATL, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 118.2 (sixth place) Defensive rating: 112.2 (fifth place)
The Big Question, revisited: Have the Spurs figured out how to play when Victor Wembanyama is off the floor?
How dare this question be asked about the almighty Wemby and his horsemen? In the first 12 games when Wembanyama was still a starter, the Spurs were outscored by only 11 points when Wembanyama was off the floor. While Wembanyama was out for a month, the Spurs leveled up and outscored opponents by 38 points. And since Wembanyama came back, the Spurs have been outscored by only three points. This, of course, doesn’t include the NBA Cup championship, because that game doesn’t count in the standings and is therefore not pure and ethical basketball.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Houston Rockets (17-9)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: L at DEN, L at NO, W at DEN, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 121.0 (fourth place) Defensive rating: 112.1 (fourth place)
The Big Question, revisited: Size is cool, but is there enough skill here?
Size is indeed cool. Houston loads up and mauls teams on the glass . The Rockets get to the paint. And they are the only team making more than 40 percent of their 3s. There is enough skill, but the Rockets also turn the ball over more than any team in the league outside of Portland. Houston is in the bottom five in assist-turnover ratio. And its recent rash of overtime losses leaves Houston with a 6-8 record in clutch-time games. Houston has plenty of blowout wins, though, so I’m sure none of this is concerning at all!
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-10)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L vs MEM, W vs OKC, W vs MIL
Offensive rating: 116.7 (eighth place) Defensive rating: 112.3 (sixth place)
The Big Question, revisited: How do the Timberwolves evolve offensively around Anthony Edwards?
As far as output, the Timberwolves are about the same this season as they were last season. That’s not a bad place (top 10 on both ends of the floor). Edwards’ assists are down, but the trade-off leaves him as an even more lethal scorer than he was before. He’s north of 40 percent from 3 (bad night against the Bucks notwithstanding), he’s under 3.0 turnovers per game for the first time in four seasons, and he’s better from everywhere inside the arc. Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo are all scoring more. The next step for Minnesota, besides maintaining what it has with the starters, is finding someone besides Naz Reid to emerge from the bench.
8. Boston Celtics (17-11)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: L vs DET, W vs MIA, W at TOR
Offensive rating: 121.3 (third place) Defensive rating: 114.7 (16th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How do the Celtics win the other math problems?
The Celtics will be just fine without Jayson Tatum, thank you very much. Sure, they’re still dominating 3-point margins while residing in the bottom five in paint points. But Boston slows the game down to a relatively extreme degree, allowing it to be in the top five in both fast-break points allowed and paint points allowed. The Celtics win those margins, as well as points off turnovers and second-chance points. Outside of Tatum, the Celtics have been remarkably healthy, and that lineup consistency makes a significant difference.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (19-8)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W at UTA, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 118.0 (seventh place) Defensive rating: 116.9 (23rd place)
The Big Question, revisited: Should LeBron James take his time coming back?
James didn’t debut this season until Nov. 18. By Saturday night in Intuit Dome, he was feeling good enough to drop more than 30 points for the first time. But James is also the last starter standing, as Luka Dončić left the loss to the Clippers with a leg injury in a game that Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton were physically unable to participate. As the Lakers alternate close wins with blowout losses, two things can be true: James is still capable of special performances, and the Lakers are worse off the more they have to rely on him.
10. Orlando Magic (16-12)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: L at DEN, W at UTA
Offensive rating: 115.6 (10th place) Defensive rating: 112.6 (10th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How is their 3-point shooting still this poor?
The Magic have increased their 3-point attempts each month this season, but they have only made 32.9 percent from 3 in December. Paolo Banchero, Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva are all shooting 25 percent from 3 or worse this month. Orlando is an eternally poor shooting team. The good news is that Desmond Bane is comfortable, with all four of his 30-point games this season coming since Black Friday, including his game-winning performance in Utah.
Philadelphia’s Paul George is averaging 16.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 11 games this season. (Jordan Godfree / Imagn Images)
11. Philadelphia 76ers (16-11)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W at NY, W vs DAL
Offensive rating: 114.7 (13th place) Defensive rating: 113.3 (11th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How does Paul George change things?
George didn’t make his season debut until Nov. 17. Philadelphia allowed 115.2 points per 100 possessions, ranking 18th in the NBA, before George’s season debut. That number has dropped to 111.7 points per 100 possessions since George suited up. Just getting a 25-minute, 6-foot-8 veteran has been a solid presence for Philadelphia.
Tier 3: The Bubble
12. Toronto Raptors (17-13)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W at MIA, W at MIL, L vs BOS, L at BRK
Offensive rating: 113.4 (19th place) Defensive rating: 112.3 (ninth place)
The Big Question, revisited: Are the Raptors too aggressive defensively?
The Raptors still foul quite a bit, but they’re not as bad in that department as last season, and they have four players averaging at least one steal per game. Having the right balance of when to press and when to have the defense chew up clock has been a steady lesson for head coach Darko Rajaković. Toronto doesn’t miss RJ Barrett’s defense, but his knee injury has made more of an impact on Toronto’s underwhelming offense.
13. Miami Heat (15-14)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L vs TOR, W at BRK, L at BOS, L at NY
Offensive rating: 114.3 (15th place) Defensive rating: 112.3 (seventh place)
The Big Question, revisited: How does Miami sustain playing faster than ever?
Miami still plays faster than any other team in the NBA overall. But the Heat have lost eight of 10 games now. It’s fun to play against the Heat, a team that won’t foul but can permit good looks, especially with center Kel’el Ware on the floor. Other teams are more talented than they are, and that talent margin is leading to some regression toward the mean.
14. Phoenix Suns (15-13)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W vs GS, L at GS
Offensive rating: 113.7 (17th place) Defensive rating: 113.7 (12th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How will this center situation unfold?
This one wasn’t too hard to figure out. Mark Williams has started every game since Week 2, and he remains a poor rim protector despite decent production otherwise for 24.5 minutes per game. Oso Ighodaro slots in more appropriately as a second-unit big who occasionally shows up next to backup center Nick Richards. Lottery pick Khaman Maluach has played only 59 minutes all season. Phoenix has been shaky in December, and the center position remains a situation to monitor.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-14)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at CHI, L vs CHI
Offensive rating: 115.4 (11th place) Defensive rating: 113.9 (14th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Who is going to help Donovan Mitchell on the perimeter until Darius Garland gets back?
At this point, this question needs to be asked: When does the All-Star Darius Garland get back? Cleveland has lost seven of the last eight games that Garland has played, including the home-and-home last week against the Bulls, and the one victory was a game at Washington that saw the Cavaliers trail by 17 points. Garland is shooting 39.4 percent from the field, 30.2 percent from 3 and averaging 3.0 turnovers per game in his last eight games. Mitchell is having a career year, but none of his veteran teammates are, and now Evan Mobley is dealing with a multi-week injury.
16. Golden State Warriors (14-15)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L at PHO, W vs PHO
Offensive rating: 113.0 (21st place) Defensive rating: 111.5 (third place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can Jimmy Butler force the issue all season?
Golden State hasn’t been consistent, but Butler has been solid and present. Butler has missed only four games, his individual numbers are all good, and the Warriors have outscored foes by 99 points in Butler’s minutes this season. When Butler is off the floor, the Warriors have been outscored by 65 points.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
17. Atlanta Hawks (15-15)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at CHA, L vs SA, L vs CHI
Offensive rating: 114.8 (12th place) Defensive rating: 115.5 (18th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How will they be able to optimize Kristaps Porziņģis?
Porziņģis had given the Atlanta offense a tremendous offensive threat as a player who can shoot with range, finish inside and even make the right pass. This season is the first of Porziņģis’ 11-year career where he averages at least 3.0 assists per game. But Porziņģis’ recurring illness keeps being a factor in his lack of availability, as he has only played in 13 games this season. The Hawks got Trae Young back this week, and their already collapsing defense has hit new depths.
18. Memphis Grizzlies (13-15)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W at LAC, W at MIN, L vs WAS
Offensive rating: 112.5 (24th place) Defensive rating: 113.8 (13th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How much of an X-Factor is Cedric Coward?
Coward earned the starting job in Memphis by the middle of November, pairing with fellow Washington State product Jaylen Wells as the wings of the future in Tennessee. While Coward’s individual numbers have not been as good as a starter, the Grizzlies have played better with Coward in the first unit. Memphis had a chance to get back to .500 for the first time since the beginning of November, but it gave up 130 points at home with two days’ rest to the Wizards.
19. Chicago Bulls (13-15)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W vs CLE, W at CLE, W at ATL
Offensive rating: 113.9 (16th place) Defensive rating: 117.7 (25th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Is this defense trustworthy?
Chicago has given up more than 110 points in nine straight games, including 150 to Atlanta. So no, the defense was not trustworthy and has been a bottom-five unit over the last month. Over Chicago’s last 14 games, foes have made 38.2 percent from 3. When the Bulls started 5-0, opponents made a league-low 30.1 percent from 3. But the Bulls swept the week on the strength of superb shot making from Chicago’s entire rotation.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (12-16)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs SAC, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 113.5 (18th place) Defensive rating: 116.4 (21st place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can Shaedon Sharpe coexist with the rest of Portland’s creators?
In a word, yes, Sharpe can fit in offensively. Sharpe got off to a slow start, and he’s still a poor decision maker (2.5 assists, 3.0 turnovers per game) with an inconsistent jumper (32.6 percent 3s). But Sharpe is up to career bests 22.0 points and 5.0 free throws per game, and he has scored 20-plus points in a season-best four straight games. Portland mainly needs to get point guard Jrue Holiday back.
Cooper Flagg has been putting up numbers since moving out of his point guard role for the Mavericks. (Bill Streicher / Imagn Images)
21. Dallas Mavericks (11-18)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L at UTA, W vs DET, L at PHI
Offensive rating: 109.0 (28th place) Defensive rating: 112.3 (eighth place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can Cooper Flagg make up for Dallas’ guard deficit?
The Mavericks tried to use Flagg as a point guard to begin the season. He’s not a point guard. Then they tried free agent acquisition D’Angelo Russell. That didn’t work. Brandon Williams got his shot. Dallas went 2-7 in Williams’ starts. The Mavericks were the league’s worst offense when they gave two-way contract rookie Ryan Nembhard the starting job, which coincided with Anthony Davis’ return from injury. That has resulted in a 6-4 record for Dallas, including wins over Denver, Miami, Houston and Detroit. It has also resulted in Flagg averaging 24.0 points despite nonexistent 3-point accuracy (16 percent) over the last 10 games.
22. Brooklyn Nets (8-19)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L vs MIA, W vs TOR
Offensive rating: 111.6 (26th place) Defensive rating: 116.3 (20th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How are the Nets going to get stops?
They shut down the Raptors on Sunday one week after embarrassing the Bucks. Only four games this entire NBA season have seen a team fail to score 85 points, and two of them involved the Nets defense. Brooklyn doesn’t have many pigeons in the lineup, and it has plenty of length. Noah Clowney, in particular, has flashed at power forward. The result is a team that can challenge teams that don’t have elite shot creation, speed and separation.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (11-18)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L vs TOR, L at MIN
Offensive rating: 112.8 (22nd place) Defensive rating: 116.5 (22nd place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo do this all season?
Antetokounmpo has already had to leave two games early because of multi-game injuries, and he has only played in 17 of Milwaukee’s 29 games. His minutes are down to 29.1, in part because of his injury departures. And the Bucks are 2-10 when Antetokounmpo doesn’t play. Antetokounmpo is still able to do special things, but he needed to stay on the floor if he wanted to avoid the rumor mill from spinning about his future in Milwaukee. So far, his injuries have exposed the Bucks team that he was set out to carry.
24. Utah Jazz (10-17)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W vs DAL, L vs LAL, L vs ORL
Offensive rating: 114.3 (14th place) Defensive rating: 121.0 (29th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Is Lauri Markkanen back?
Some wondered why I didn’t put Markkanen as my Utah representative for last week’s trade winds. It’s really simple: Markkanen is a 28-year-old franchise player on a long-term deal who wants to be in Utah. And he’s playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging a career-best 27.8 points. Markkanen is starting to miss games, as he’s been out three of the last five. But Markkanen has 10 30-point games this season after having only four 30-point games all of last season.
25. Charlotte Hornets (9-19)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: W vs ATL, L at DET
Offensive rating: 113.1 (20th place) Defensive rating: 117.1 (24th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Is this the year LaMelo Ball gets back to the All-Star Game?
It’s not looking like it. The Hornets still aren’t very good, Ball has missed 10 games already, and he hasn’t been nearly as good when he plays compared to last season. Ball is averaging a career best 8.6 assists per game, but he’s at career lows from the field (39.1 percent) and from 3 (31.6 percent). If Ball couldn’t have been an All-Star last year when he was averaging 27.3 points per game before the All-Star break, then it’s not happening this season with Ball at an inefficient 19.2 points per game.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. LA Clippers (7-21)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs MEM, L at OKC, W vs LAL
Offensive rating: 112.7 (23rd place) Defensive rating: 118.2 (26th place)
The Big Question, revisited: When does Bradley Beal start contributing offensively?
Never. In Beal’s previous four seasons, he averaged 49 games and 20.2 points. Even if Beal missed half of the season and averaged only 15 points per game, that would have been better than what the Clippers received for their Norman Powell replacement, which is 121 minutes (none in fourth quarters) and a season-ending hip injury in Week 3. The Clippers tried to get younger by going from Powell to Beal, but they got a whole lot worse off.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (7-22)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: W vs HOU, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 112.1 (25th place) Defensive rating: 118.9 (28th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can the Pelicans convert their shots?
Before these last two weeks, not really. The Pelicans make 46.5 percent from the field, and only the Pistons score more paint points. But they are bottom five in converting in the restricted area and in the non-restricted paint. Credit the Pelicans for figuring some things out in the last two weeks, though, as they are making 50.4 percent from the field while riding a four-game win streak with both Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole coming off the bench behind lottery rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears.
28. Sacramento Kings (7-22)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at POR, L vs POR, W vs HOU
Offensive rating: 108.8 (29th place) Defensive rating: 118.8 (27th place)
The Big Question, revisited: How does Doug Christie navigate the shot creators?
Perhaps it is easier to figure out the offense by having shot creators be injured and benched. Four of Sacramento’s seven wins this season have come against top-eight teams in the Western Conference: Golden State, Denver, Minnesota and Sunday night against Houston. In the comeback overtime win over the Rockets, the Kings didn’t have center Domantas Sabonis or shooting guard Zach LaVine, started minimum contract Russell Westbrook over multi-year contract Dennis Schröder and used 2027 player option guard Malik Monk for less than five minutes. For one night, it worked out. The Kings have all of these players plus DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray, and only the Indiana Pacers have a worse offense this season.
29. Washington Wizards (5-22)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L at SA, W at MEM, L vs SA
Offensive rating: 109.2 (27th place) Defensive rating: 122.7 (30th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Who cares about power forwards?
Not the Wizards, the worst defensive rebounding team in the league. On Sunday, the Wizards started Kyshawn George and Justin Champagnie at forward, two players listed under 210 pounds. The Spurs secured 20 offensive rebounds and outscored the Wizards 32-9 on second-chance points. It’s not like Washington has any big forwards, mind you. This is Washington’s roster construction, and we’ll see if they add bigger forwards and/or plus-rebounders at some point in 2026.
30. Indiana Pacers (6-22)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs NY, L at NO
Offensive rating: 108.1 (30th place) Defensive rating: 116.1 (19th place)
The Big Question, revisited: Can the Pacers survive an early-season rash of injuries?
No, the Pacers could not survive the wave of injuries. That is a major difference between the Celtics without Jayson Tatum and the Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton. While none of Boston’s top-eight-minute players have missed five games, the only Pacers who haven’t missed at least five games are Pascal Siakam, Jarace Walker and centers Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson. Siakam has played a total of seven minutes (in one game) this season with projected non-center starters Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin.
By Law Murray, via The Athletic